Changes to your household
Sometimes we may:
- transfer the tenancy of a property to a new person
- add another person to a tenancy (as well as the person whose name is on the State tenancy agreement).
We refer to this as ‘change of tenancy’.
When this occurs, a new State Tenancy Agreement needs to be signed.
When a change of tenancy is needed
A change of tenancy is needed when:
- joint tenants separate
- a joint tenant passes away.
If you want to apply for a change of tenancy for another reason (e.g. adding an additional tenant or a sole tenant moves out or passes away) discuss this with your nearest Housing Service Centre.
If a legal tenant moves out
If this occurs, tell us within 28 days. The tenant leaving the property must complete a Notice of intention to leave (Form 13) to remove their name from the tenancy agreement.
If the co-tenant doesn’t sign the Form 13, discuss the situation with your nearest Housing Service Centre.
If a joint tenant passes away
If this occurs, tell us within 28 days of the person passing away. You need to supply confirmation of the death, such as a notice from the newspaper, death certificate, funeral director's account or letter from the doctor.
We reassess the rent and you need to sign a new State Tenancy Agreement.
Applying for a change of tenancy
To apply for a change of tenancy:
- Complete the change of tenancy request (PDF, 1.3MB).
- Attach the required evidence to support your request.
- Attach evidence of all household income and assets.
- Send the application and supporting documentation to your nearest Housing Service Centre.
What happens next?
We contact you after you lodge the forms and documents to transfer the tenancy to your name.
If your application is eligible and you are placed on the housing register, you then make an appointment at your nearest Housing Service Centre to sign the new State Tenancy Agreement.
We regularly review your ongoing need for public housing or for the home you live in.
If your application is not approved, you and any other household members will need to vacate the property. We will work with you to identify other housing options that meet your needs.
New rental account number
When a change of tenancy is completed, the account in the name of the original tenant(s) is closed.
The new account is in the name of the new tenant(s)—the same names that are on the new State Tenancy Agreement.
You receive a new rental account number.
Review of rent
We conduct a full rent review based on the current income of all household members.
Tenant marriage or name change
If a tenant gets married or changes their name, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.
You need to supply a copy of the marriage certificate or deed poll registration for us to change the name. You don’t need to sign a new tenancy agreement.
Adding a tenant to the agreement
If you want to add a tenant to your tenancy agreement, they must complete a change of tenancy request (PDF, 1.3MB).
We then assess their eligibility. If they’re eligible, all tenants need to sign a new State Tenancy Agreement.
If the person isn’t eligible, they can’t become a tenant but can still live in the property as a resident.
Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre for more information.